Sudeley Castle is one of the very few castles in England that is still used as a residence. John and William Dent, wealthy glovemakers from Worcester, bought the castle and the surrounding estate in the 1830s. The property remains in the hands of their heirs to this day and is occupied as a principal home by Elizabeth, Lady Ashcombe, widow of Mark Dent-Brocklehurst. Today, the castle's use is balanced between a private residence and use as an attraction for tourists and a venue for corporate events and weddings.